Spring-lock key



Oct. 23, 1928.

F. NELSON SPRING LOCK KEY Filed May 5, 1927 7mm #621022. INVENTOR- ATTORNEYS.

Patented Get. 23, 1928.

UNITED STATES FRANK NELSON, OF NEWKIRK, OKLAHOMA.

SPRING-LOCK KEY.

Application filed May 3, 1927. Serial No. 188,560.

This invention relates to a locking or cotter key for securing or locking a nut in position on a bolt, or for use in slotted bolts where nuts are not employed.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a cotter key of such a character that the same will immediately lock itself in position upon being extended tl'irough a slot of a bolt without further at tention.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatically locking cotter wherein disconnection can be readily accomplished without the employment of tools of any character.

The invention broadly contemplates the provision of an elongated member having one entL enlarged to form a stop, said member be ing provided with a longitudinally extending passage in which a spring tongue is secured, a portion of the ton ue being extended upwardly to engage against the wall of a bolt when the body has been extended through a slot therein, with one end of the tongue projecting a substantial distance beyond the end of the body to set up a releasing key, the outstanding portion of the spring tongue being disengaged from the bolt wall upon pressing downwardly upon the said key.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking cotter key of the character described which will be of simple but strong and durable construct-ion, and easy to insert or remove from position.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the description of the same proceeds and the invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawing but may be changed or modified so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a bolt in side elevation hav ing threaded upon one end thereof a castle nut and showing the key embodying the present invention in position thereon.

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal section of the threaded end of the bolt shown in Figure 1, showing the interior construction of the cotter key associated therewith.

Figure 3 is a detailed perspective view of the cotter key embodying the present invention and Figure 4 shows a threadless bolt in side elevation showing the present cotter extended through a slot therein. Referring now to the drawing in detail, wherein like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the numeral 1 in Figures 1 and 2, indicates a bolt body upon the end of the shank of which screw threads 2 are formed. Threaded upon the bolt 1 is a castellated nut and the body of the bolt has formed therethrough adjacent the free end thereof, the transverse passage 4 usually formed for the insertion of cotter keys of the present wellknown construction, the usual key engaging between the castles of the nut 3 to maintain the same against turning, as is well understood. I

The self locking cotter key embodying the present invention is indicated generally by the numeral 5, and as is clearly shown in Figure 2, this key comprises an elongated body formed of a pair of relatively narrow elongated fiat bodies 6 arranged in closely spaced parallel relation and having an integral connecting portion 7 therebetween and extending throughout the length thereof along two adjacent edges. There is thus set up a body having a longitudinally extending channel 8, open at each end and at the top as shown in Figure Each of the members 6 at one end of the body has extending from the edge thereof a member 9, which members, together, form a stop. Formed integral with the connecting portion 7 at one end of the same is an elongated spring tongue indicated generally by the numeral 10. This tongue adjacent the attached end thereof is inclined sharply upwardly and extends beyond the upper edges of the members 6 as shown in Figures '2 and 3 where it is then bent downwardly as indicated at 11, to a point slightly below the top edges of the members 6, after which it is turned and directed toward andbeyond the opposite end of the body 5, being slightly inclined upwardly as shown. The free outer end of this tongue provides a manipulating means as indicated by the numeral 12 to facilitate downward flexing of the tongue to cause the upper end of the sharply lDCllIlGCl forward portion to be depressed below the top edges of the members 6.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily seen that when the ends of the members 6 are directed through he passage 4 of the bolt when the body-is forced therefectively held in the passage of the bolt,

against movement in either direction. It will be readily understood from the foregoing, that upon the depression of the free end 12 of the tongue, the vertical portion 11 will be retracted downwardly between the menr bers 6 of the body and thus permit withdrawl oi the cotter from the slots.

\Vith reference to the showing of Figure 4, the bolt member 13 here shown of thread less type'wherein no nut is employed, this bolt only being provided with a transverse pas-sage through which a locking member or cotter is adapted to be extended. lhe present self locking cotter is readily adapted to be used in connection with this type of bolt as well as with the type shown in Figures 1 and 2, and as there is no difference in the device used in the two types of bolts, the same numerals are used in connection with this figure as are used in connection with Figures 1, 2, and 3.

From the foregoing description, it will be readily understood that with a cotter key of, the herein described character, castellated nuts may be quickly secured in position against turning and the cotter hey may be readily removed from position without the employment of the usual key opening tool, necessary in connection with the use of cotters of the character wherein two spring legs are forced apart atter being extended through the bolt slots.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A cotter of the character described, co2nprising an elongated body adapted to be extended. through the transverse slot of a bolt and having a longitudinally extending reeess formed therein, an upstanding stop body end thereof, said tongue being formed to provide adjacent the other end of the recess body, a bolt engaging portion normally extending from the recess and said ext-ended end of the tongue constituting a manipulating means for retracting the projecting portion of a body, a bolt engaging portion normally ex tending from the recess and said extended end of the tongue constituting a manipulating means for retracting the projecting porot' a tongue into the recess, said tongue having that end adjacent the projecting portion thereof formed integral with the recess body at the base of the recess.

3. A cotter key of the character described, comprising an, elongated body formed of a pair of closely spaced flat parallel members having a connecting portion tl'ierebetween and extending throughout the edges thereof at one side of the body forming the opposite side of the body and the end openthroughout, upstanding stop members formed at one end of the body and an elongated spring tongue positioned between the parallel members or" the body and having one end formed intcgral with the connecting portion, said tongue at the attached end inclining sharply upwardly from saidattached portion and ox-. tending a slight distance beyond the free edges of the side members, the remaining portion of the tongue being POSlblODQCbbtween sald side members and having the tree end thereof extending beyond the end of the body to provide a manipulating means.

4. A cotter-key ot the clu-uacter described, comprising a relatively long body of channel formation throughout, av spring tongue within the body and secured at one end thereto, the other end of the tongue projecting beyond one end of the body, a stop carried by and projecting from one longitudinal edge of the body adjacent the end from which the spring tongue projects, and stop inea car ried by said tongue and in spaced relation to said first mentioned stop and normally projecting beyond the said longitudinal edge of the body.

In testimony whereof I atlix my signature.

FRANK NELS N. 

